Cotton-picker.



No; 887,178. PATBNTED MAY 12, 1908.

H. A. BABBITT. I COTTON PIGKER. APPIfIOATIOH FILED DEG-11, 1997- 4 E B 1' wen $66 l/Witnesses I i v gs H. A. BABBI TT.

COTTON PIGKER. APPLICATION IILIBI) D30. 11. 1907.

No; 887,178. PATENTED MKY 12,1908.

4 sums-sum 2.

PATENTED MAY-l2, 1908.

v anocuto'c 4 SHEETS-SHEET 31 R A BABBITT "COTTON PIGKBR. nrmoumn FILED DEC. 11. 1907.

lmeooyzo 1 1 PATENTED MAY 12 I908. N0 78 H. A. BABBITT.

COTTON PIGKER.

APPLIUATION FILED DEC. 11. 1907.

- 4 sums-sum 4.

jungnm;

VIII llllllllllll l l lg upper ends to the outer ends of o eration of the pump,

the arms 26 of which project io'rwardly on-- being disposed fixed on and preferably beneath the frame 1 l is a vacuum tank or reservoir 13 and a comression tank or reservoir 14 provided respectively with relief valves 15 and 16.

Mounted on the rear portion of the frame above the tanks 13 and 1.4 is an air or other fluid pump 17, having its piston rod 18 connected by suitable gearing 19 with the motor shaft 5 and its cylinders 20 connected with the tanks 13 and 14, respectively, by means of pipes or ducts 22 and 23, whereby, durln under the action 0 t e;, motor, the air or other fiuid will be ex- I haustedi'rom the tank 13 and compressed in the tank 14, thus maintaining a vacuum in the first named tank and a supply of fluid under pressure within the last named tank. Communicating at its lower end with, and arising vertically from the vacuum tank 13 is a vacuum tower 24, in the form of a pipe or duct, having at its upper end a horizontal substantially U- haped tubular portion 25,

opposite sides of the dome 12, while arising vertically from the compression'tank 14 and communicating at its lower end therewith is a compression tower 27, in the form of a ipe or duct, provided at its upper end wit a horizontal, substantially U-shaped tubular portion 28, the arms 29 of which project forwardly at oppositesides of the dome 12 and immediately beneath the arms 26, the towers 24 and 27 being equipped with suit-, able pressure gages 30. I

Arranged on each side of the receptacle supporting-frame 9, ,'s a plurality of separa tors 31 having independent connection with the dome 12, for the purpose which will more fully hereinafter a pear, by means of pipes orducts 32; detacha ly cou led at-their v orizontally l rojecting coupling tubes 33 with which the ome is provided, a number of said tubes 33 at each side of the dome thus permitting a reater or lesser number of the separators to e connected therewith as circumstances may require.

Inasmuchas the separators are identical in construction-and operation a detailed de-' scription of one will;suflice for all. separator is preferably of metal tubing, as shown more 0 earl in Fig. 4, and presents --a air of separator c ambers or compartments" l'which receive the cotton fromthe main flexible gathering tubes or ducts 35, equipped Each at; their iree ends with the picker nozzles 36.

"the separator chambergcovered by an'open- There is arranged 'e'ach compartment 34 k for normally closing its forward end an inlet valve 37 and forclps'fig its rear end an'outlet valve 38, while no municating' with the compartment, at" fa';poiut between its ends and preferably extending at "right angles thereto," a tubular -valize chamber 3.9 '1; aving its niner ,end,-" which communicates with and valve '50. charge end of each compartment 34 and in and valve 49, said branch work screen or shield 40. Each oiuthe valve chambers 39 is divided by an intermediate partition 41 into an inner valve space or compartment 42 containing a valve seat 43, and anoutervalve space or compartment 44 containing a valve seat 45, and is closed at a point outside of the seat 45 by an outer wall or artition 46. There is arranged for longi tu inal movement in the chamber 39 a valve rod or stem 48 having bearing in suitable guides formed in the partitions 41 and 46 and carrying valves 49 and 50, designed to close respectively on the seats 43 and 45. It is noted in this connection, that the valves, which are arranged to seat from opposite directions, are movable to open position, independently of the rod 48, and a ainst the action of springs 51 and 52, an positively movable with the rod to open position, under the action of stop pins 53 and 54 projecting transversely of the rod and disposed toengage at the inner faces of the valves. Fixed upon the rod 48 for movement within the space or compartment 44 is a valve operating piston 55, provided with a vent opening 55 and designed for positively moving the rod to alternately open the valves in the manner, and for the purpose, more fully hereinafter explained.

Communicating with each of the se arator compartments 34 at a point near its orward or intake end, and immediatel in rear of the valve 37 is a branch tube or dilct 56 leading to and communicating with the valve chamber 39, at a point between the partition 41' Leading from the rear or disrear of the valve 38, is a ranchduct'57 communicating with, and forming in effect a part of, the duct 32.

Connected at its rear end with the valve chamber 39 and communicating with the compartment 44 thereof,.at a point betweenthe artition 46 and piston 55, is an air tube or not 58, which extends along the main athering duct 35, and communicates at its orward end with a valve chamber 59, formed or provided on the rearend of the nozzle 36. Communicating at its forward end with the chamber 59, is a vacuum tube or duct 60, leading along the main duct 35 and communicating at its rear end with a branch duct 61, having its opposite ends in open communication with the respective valve chambers 39, at a point between the ad'acent partition 41 ein connected at a point between its ends, and y means of a flexible tube or duct the vacuum tower 24. There is also con:

, nectedfor comm-unlcation at its forward end withthe' valve chamber 59, a pressure tube or duct '63, leadingalong the main tube 35 and communicating at its rear end with a branch tube orduct 64, having its o 'ipo'site ends in open ,communi ation, respectively,

62, with one arm 26 of are also rail with the valve chambers 39, at a point between the valve 50 and partition 46,- the said =dildt6 being connected, between its ends, by

means of a tube or duct 65 with one arm 29 of tlie compression tower 27. .liiovably arrang l in the valve casing 59,

"ifoiiclosing the forward end of the duct 60 is a valve 66' normally pressed to its seat 67 by enlargement 70. There is also arranged in ofcthe duct 63,-a valve 71 normally pressed to. .itsseat 72by means of a'spring 73 coiled upon the casing 59 and for closing the forward end the stem 74 which projects beyond thewall of the casing and has a terminal head or enlargement 75.

Pivoted on the nozzle 36, by means of a pin 76 engaging a slot 77, is a rocking member or lever 78 having one end forked for engagement with the stem 69, in rear of the head 70,

.and. its other end disposed for contact with the/headed end of the valve stem 74. There is rovided on the lever 78, which is susceptib e oflirnited longitudinal movement or play against the action of a spring 78*, a pin'or stud 79 disposed to ride over a cam projection 80 provided on the nozzle 36, to

affect such movement of the lever .for the purpose presently explained. Pivoted at its rear end to the lever 78, is a rigid connecting rod 81 disposed to work between its ends in a guide 82 on the nozzle and having its for ward end pivoted to a controlling lever 83, in turn fulcrmned at 84 on the nozzle and provided at its free end with a rearwardly extending angular grip portion 85 to be grasped for moving the lever against the action of a normally expanded spring 86, coiled on the rod 81, between .the guide 82 and lever. The nozzle 36 is provided at its forward end with a bell-mouth 87, covered by a leather or other pliable shield 88, in which is formed a series of-radial incisions 89 producing segmental tongues or flaps 90, which open sufii ciently to permit passageof the cotton into the nozzle.

- In practice, during operation of the pump 17,'in the manner heretofore explained, air will'be exhausted from the tank 13 and compressed in the tank 14 thereby creating a vacuum in the tank 13, tower 24, and arms 26 and in the tubes 60, 61 and 6? while at the same time air under pressure will be supplied lrom the tank 14 to the tower 27, arms 29, and tubes 63, 64 and, 65. {Miner those conditions when the nnnlth of the nozzle 36 is applied to the od or boll the lever 83 is pressed inward, tileieby moving the rod 81 roarwardly l'or rocking the lever 7 8, whereby the valve 66 is opened, thus establishing communicatlon between the tubes 58 and 60, through the valve chamber 59, whereupon, and owing to the tube 60 being'n connectirm with the vacuum tower. suction will be created in the tube 58 and consequently in the compartment between partition. 46 and piston 55 of the valve chamber 39, thereby acting on the piston 55 for moving the rod48 inwardly to open the valve 4-9, as shown at the right in Fig. 4. As soon as said valve opens communication is established between the branch vacuum pipe 61 and the separator chamber 34,- thus causing the valve 37 .to open and drawing the cotton. through the tube 35, into the com artment 34 andagainst the screen 40, whi e at the same time the valve 38 will be held closed .under the action of the suction in the chamber. Upon continued movement of the. lever 83, the

stud or pin 7am riding-over the cam 80, will move the valve actuating lever 78 out of engagement with the stem of valve 66, permit ting the latter to close automatically under the influence of spring 68. The, other end of the lever 78 next comes into contact with the headed end of stem 74, thereby opening the valve 71 and establishing'connnunic-af tion between the tubes 58 and 63, through the chamber 59, whereupon air under pressure will flow from the tube 63 through the tube 58 and act upon the piston 55 for moving rod 48 to close valve 49 and open valve 50. When the valve 50 opens, compressed air from the tower 27. will pass through the tubes 65 and 64 into the casing 39 and thence through tube 56 into compartment 34 at a oint beneath the charge of c0tton,.for forcmg the latter-from the'chainber 34 outward through tubes 57 and 32 into the cotton receivil'ig dome 12, from which latter, it will fall by gravity. intoa'the underlying receptacle, 10. \Vhen pressure on the lever 83 is released, the spring 86 will return said lever to normal position and at the same time will act, through the rod 81, for carrying the lever 7 8 free of "the valve stem 74, thus permitting the valve 71 to close under the action of spring 73. As soon asthe stud has moved oil the cam. 80 lever 78 will be moved longitudinally under the im ulse of the ring 78*, for engaging its for ed end with t 1e valve stem 59, thus resetting the parts of the mechanism for repeating the operation just described.

lt is to be particularly observed that in o eration each. of the nozzles 36 may be helil and manipulated by one hand, thus providing for the attendant simultaneously operating a pair of the nozzles to gather material from the plants in two rows, and further that the hor 83 is arranged for movement by the. hand which grasps the nozzle thus placing the valve controlling mechanism under convcniem rontrol oi the stimulant. Also it is to be especially noted that the cotton is autnnntiially handled, in a continuous operation. from the time of taking it from the bolls until it is deposited in the storage re- 'ceptacles, which is a very marked improvement over the cotton harvesting methods now in vogue. It is to be understood that, While I have herein shown and. described a preferred embodiment of'the invention and tion more particularly defined in the appended claims.

For example, the invention in its broader interpretation, comprehends the employment, where practicable, of other :forms of,

vacuum and pressure devices, in lieu of the tanks and their accessories, for alternately creating a vacuum in and admitting a fluid under pressure to the separator compartment the connection of the branchducts 61 and 64 directly with the compartment 34,-as

distinguished from an indirect connection through the casing 39, and in that instance,

the arrangement of the main controllingvalves 49 and 50 directly in said ducts; and

the provision of means, other than the auxiliary controlling valves 66 and 71 and their attendant mechanism, for alternately opening the main valves. These changes should, therefore, be read within the terms of the claims. I

Having thus described my invention what Iclaim is:

1. In a cotton harvesting machine, a separator com artment, apicker duct leading 'thereto, a ischarge duct leading therefrom,

a vacuum device, a fluid press llc device, and means for alternately establishing communication between said compartment and de vices forllrawing a charge through the picker duct and expellingit through the discharge duct.

2. In a cotton'harvesting machine, a separator com artment, a picker duct leading thereto, a ischarge duct leading therefrom, a vacuum reservoir and a fluid pressure reservo1r operatively. connected with said compertinent, and means for alternately estabshing,communication between said compartment and reservoirs for drawing a charge through the icker duct and expelling it through the discharge duct.

3.. In a cotton harvesting machine, a separator com artment, a picker duct leading thereto, a discharge duct leading therefrom, a vacuum device, a-fluid ressure device,

means for alternately establishing eommun1-- cation between said compartment and devices for drawing a chargethrou h the icker duct and expelling it through the disc arge duct, and a controllin nieniber carried adj acent the receiving en of the picker duct for:

operating said means.

seams 4. In a cotton harvesting machine, a separator compartment having, an inlet and a discharge port, a pair of tanks or reservoirs operatively connected with said compartment, means for exhausting fluid from one of said tanks and compressing it in the other, and means for alternately establishing com munication between said tanks and the compartment. p

5. In a cotton harvesting machine, a separator com artment having valve controlled inlet and 'schargeports, ducts leading re s ectively to and from. said ports, a vacuum evice, a fluid pressure device, and means for alternately establishing communication between the compartment and said devices for drawing a charge through the inlet duct and expelling it through the discharge duct.

6. In a cotton harvesting machine, a separator compartment, a picker duct leading thereto and having a picker nozzle, a discharge duct leading from the compartment, a vacuum device, a fluid )ressure device, ineans for alternately establishing communication between the compartment and said devices, and a controlling lever carried by the nozzle and connected for governing the operation of said means. i

7. In a cotton harvesting machine, a separator compartment, a picker duct leading thereto and having a nozzle,.a discharge duct leading from the compartment, a main valve chamber communicating with the compartment, vacuum and fluid pressure devices connected with said chamber, valves arranged in the chamber, means including a piston for operating said valves to alternately establish communication between the compartment and. said devices through the valve chamber, an auxiliary valve chamber provided on the nozzle, acontrolling du ct leading from the main to the auxiliary chamber, vacuum and pressure ducts leading from the vacuum and fluid pressure devices to the auxiliary chamber, valves in said chamber for controlling communication between the vacuum and pressure ducts and the controlling duct, and means on the nozzle for alternately o ening said controlling valves for establis 'ng a vacuum or pressure in the main chamber to actuate the valve operating piston.

8. In a cottonharvesting machine, a separator compartment having a discharge port,

apicker duct leading to the compartment,

a main valve chamber sustained adjacent the latter, vacuum and fluid? pressure devices communicative with the compartment through said chamber, valves inthezhamber for controlling communication between said devices and the compartment, me-ans for opening said valvesalternately, andta controlling member carried by the duct for actuating said means.

9. In a cotton harvesting machine, a separator compartment, having a discharge port, a picker duct connected with the compartment, a vacuum tank, a fluid pressure tank, vacuum and pressure ducts leading respectively from the tank to the compartment, valves arranged for controlling communication between the latter and ducts,

means for Opening said valves alternately,

and a controlling member carried by the picker duct for actuating said means.

' 10. In a cotton harvesting machine, a separator compartment having an inlet and a discharge port, vacuum and fluid pressure ducts communicative with the com artment, means for exhausting one of said nets and supplying fluid pressurev to theother, main. controlling valves for said ducts provided with a piston, means including vacuum and pressure ducts leading to and for actuating the piston to alternately open the main valves, auxiliary controlling valves for the last named ducts, and means for operating the auxiliary valves.

1.1. In. a cotton harvesting machine, a separator compartment having inlet and discharge operate controlling valves,-f or alternately creating a'vacuum' in, and admitting a fluid under pressure to, sald compartment, ducts (ports, means, including main fluid connected with the main valves for supplying the operatingfiuid thereto, auxiliary controlling -valves-.=for the ducts, and means, under control of the operator, for actuating the auxiliary valves.

Intestimony whereof I afiix'my signature, 1n presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY A. BABBITT.

Witnesses:

F. W. PARKER, .S. R, RAYMOND. 

